ITV's Favorites of 2010

2010 was already nearing its end when ITV went live, but I don't think that's any reason to not post a year-end list. Uncategorized and in no particular order, here are ten things that made 2010 better than it would have been without them:

1) Gifts from Kanye West
Kanye West gave us a lot last year. Excellent free music on G.O.O.D. Fridays, direct access to his psyche via his Twitter account, Selita Ebanks in that phoenix outfit, and of course My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Best album of 2010, hands down.

2) The 2010 FIFA World Cup
It was the first World Cup in Africa. The first goal was scored by the host country off the foot of a player with one of the coolest names in sports. The U.S.A. won its group for the first time since 1930 in dramatic fashion. The best team won the final. Only Ghana's loss to Uruguay after a goal-saving intentional handball by Luis Suárez brought on that sense of great and irreconcilable injustice that international soccer has the unique ability to inspire. There were vuvuzelas (and vuvuzela haters), an infectious official song, and some fantastic goals.

3) Un Prohpete

Technically, Un Prophete was released in 2009, but it didn't open in the U.S. until 2010. I saw it last year, and it instantly became one of my favorite gangster movies. Un Prophete tells the story of a nineteen-year-old kid of North African descent who finds himself in French prison. Though he's illiterate, unconnected, and utterly alone, he survives and thrives among the Corsican and Muslim gangs that run the place. There have been comparisons to The Godfather. In my view, the two films are apples and oranges, but there are scenes in Un Prophete that are as enjoyable and rewarding as the scenes in the Godfather where you realize that Mikey Corleone has become Don Corleone right before your eyes.

4) Waka Flaka Flame feat. Wale and Roscoe Dash - "No Hands"
I can't explain my appreciation for Waka Flaka's "No Hands" without admitting that I spent some time in gentlemen's clubs last year. Some of that time was spent in the type of clubs where the dancers have flawless bodies and Eastern Bloc accents, but the drinks are watered down and the music is uninspiring to dancers and patrons alike. Some of that time was spent in the types of clubs where the dancers are not flawless, but you can mix a strong drink with the alcohol you bring yourself and the girls choose their own songs. I had more fun in the latter type, and had the most fun when some flawed angel decided that this was the song she wanted to take my money to.

5) Sweet Deals on Gilt.com
What's not to love about this members-only website that sells designer clothes, gear, luxury items, vacation packages, even Volkswagens at discounts of up to 70%? Although the site launched in 2007, it only started carrying menswear in 2009 and greatly expanded its men's selection last year. With a little foresight and quick decision making (the choicest items sell out in seconds), you can complete your look for any season at a fraction of what you would normally pay.

6) Street Style Bloggers
Street style blogs like The Sartorialist, Street Etiquette, and Fuck Yeah Menswear have increased in popularity in the last few years and really became required reading for the fashion conscious last year. So much so that GQ added a street style page to its website and has featured the authors of the aforementioned blogs. I'm sure GQ would still recommend that you purchase a few items featured in its Style Manual if you want to look your best -- as would I. But now we know that you can also check a site like Street Etiquette, get a bunch of ideas, head to the thrift store, and come out looking equally stylish but probably more satisfied and with a lot more money in your pocket.



7) Wiz Khalifa - "Black and Yellow"

There were times last year when I was dangerous behind the wheel of a car. Those were times when Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" was playing on the radio. On the highway, it made me drive too fast and aggressive. In traffic, it was worse: windows rolled down, volume turned up, one hand in the air out the window, my attention divided between listening to the music, looking to see if people around me appreciated it, and watching the road (in that order). Considering how long this song was on the radio, I'm lucky to be alive.

8) The New iPod Nano
For my money, the latest iPod Nano ($149-$179) was the best piece of workout equipment on the market last year (foam rollers were a close second). It's 46% smaller and 42% lighter than the previous generation nano and borrows the iPod shuffle's built-in clip. Now you can have your playlists for cardio, weights, circuit training, warmup, cooldown, pre-game, post-game, whatever, all at your fingertips without carrying a big piece of electronics in your pocket or wearing an armband.

9) Blake Griffin's Second Rookie Season
When Blake Griffin returned to the Clippers lineup after missing his entire rookie year with a broken kneecap, I hoped he would just do OK and not get hurt again while he worked his way up to NBA speed. I either underestimated the guy or overestimated the role that pristine kneecaps play in one's ability to elevate his crotch to the face-level of the world's tallest men (prime example at 3:18 in the clip below). His first NBA basket was a ridiculous ally-oop dunk and he's thrown down dozens of ridiculous dunks ever since. On top of that, he's a double-double machine and a lock for Rookie of the Year. I don't think anyone outside LA is watching Clippers games yet, but we're all watching the Blake Griffin highlights.

10) ESPN's 30 for 30
With its 30 for 30 documentary series, ESPN reminded us why it's "The Worldwide Leader In Sports," while mostly avoiding the sentimentalism and melodrama that weigh down its other documentary efforts. Almost all of the 30 for 30 films were good, and some were truly great.